“Jozi is gonna feel hollow without him”

Performance artist Nkululeko Mthembu, founder of the Jo’Burg local band, died last Sunday, according to the band’s social media pages. The cause of his death is yet to be confirmed.

According to Times Live, Nkululeko’s brother and the band’s lead singer, Siyabonga Mthembu, tweeted to confirm the shocking news. Under the handle, @MRGOLDISME, he tweeted: “Yes sadly friends its true, my not so little anymore bruv passed away on Sunday. Nkush was my light, one never heals from such. #27club RIP.”

The band plans to announce the funeral arrangements through “networks”, according to the band’s Facebook page.

Though misunderstood, Nkululeko’s role in the Brother Moves On was never questioned, as his contribution remained offstage, out of the limelight. Nonetheless, Siyabonga clarified this confusion in the September 2012 issue once and for all when he told Rolling Stone: “We’d like to state clearly that Nkululeko Mthembu is the founder of the band.” He jokes: “He lied to everyone and convinced us that there was a band.”

Known for the band’s visual arts and theatricalities, Nkululeko’s role included choosing costumes and coming up with different characters for performances (“Mr. Gold” for the “Golden Wake” act and “The Black Diamond Butterfly” for the same-titled performance). He formed part of the offstage capers and also wrote songs. According to The Assembly’s Q&A with the band, guitarist Zelizwe Mthembu, another of Nkululeko’s brothers, composed at the least a third of the band’s tracks with him. He also mentions to Rolling Stone that Nkululeko and BJ Snyman, who sometimes joined the band on turntables, “were known to put in many sleepless hours designing props for video shoots.”

One fan commented: “Jozi is gonna feel hollow without him.”

Keep checking Rolling Stone‘s website for more information.

UPDATE

The Brother Moves On’s announced the funeral arrangements for Nkululeko Mthembu, last night on 13 November through their Facebook page.

The post reads: “Nkululeko Mthembu’s Funeral arrangements Friday 15th Nov. Leaving family home (138 Elgin rd Van Riebeeck Park) @ 07:00. Service @ 08:00 til 10:30 Coen Scholtz Hall Modderfontein next to PicknPay. Dress white if u can with a touch of black. Please spread the word. As Nkush would say HAppY fRiday.”